U.S. patent application number 11/937095 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for using cameras to monitor actual inventory.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Robert Thomas Cato, Thomas Guthrie Zimmerman.
Application Number | 20090121017 11/937095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40622794 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090121017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cato; Robert Thomas ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Using Cameras to Monitor Actual Inventory
Abstract
System and method for monitoring inventory. Inventory items are
positioned between a camera and a surface having an optically
identifiable and distinct characteristic. The camera obtains an
image of the inventory items present, any exposed portion of the
surface, or both. The amount of the exposed surface is used to
determine an amount of the inventory items that are present or
missing. Furthermore, the optically identifiable characteristic may
be a uniform characteristic, such as color or texture, or a set of
discrete elements, such as stickers, barcodes, structural features
of the shelf, a pattern of lines or shapes, or combinations
thereof. Optionally, the optically identifiable characteristic is
unique to the location of the shelf associated with the inventory
items. Inventory or non-inventory items incorrectly positioned over
the exposed surface may be excluded from the amount of the expected
inventory item being determined if the item does not match the
visual attributes of the expected inventory item. The camera may be
fixed or movable and preferably provides digital images to a
computer system having a computer readable medium with program
products for analyzing the image and providing inventory
reports.
Inventors: |
Cato; Robert Thomas;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Zimmerman; Thomas Guthrie;
(Cupertino, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORPORATION (SS/NC);c/o STREETS & STEELE
13831 NORTHWEST FREEWAY, SUITE 355
HOUSTON
TX
77040
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
40622794 |
Appl. No.: |
11/937095 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/385 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/087
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/385 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00 |
Claims
1. A method for monitoring inventory, comprising: providing a
surface having an optically identifiable characteristic that is
distinct from an inventory item; directing a camera toward the
surface; positioning at least one unit of the inventory item
between the camera and the surface; using the camera to obtaining
an image of the at least one unit, an exposed portion of the
surface or both; determining an amount of the exposed portion of
the surface; and determining the number of units of the inventory
item present by comparing a known amount of the entire surface and
the determined amount of the exposed portion of the surface.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the
location of the exposed portion of the shelf, and identifying the
inventory item previously positioned at the location of the exposed
portion of the surface.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the location of the exposed
portion of the shelf is determined relative to a known position of
the camera when the image was obtained.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic is unique to the location of the shelf that is
associated with the inventory item.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic includes at least one discrete element selected from
the group consisting of patterns of contrasting lines, patterns of
contrasting shapes, bar codes, stickers, structural features of the
shelf, or combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic is a uniform characteristic selected from the group
consisting of color, texture, and combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic includes at least one uniquely identifiable
label.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: establishing the
location of the at least one uniquely identifiable label before
positioning the at least one unit of the inventory item between the
camera and the surface containing the at least one uniquely
identifiable label.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: associating an
inventory item with the location of the at least one uniquely
identifiable label.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a
retro-reflective material and an infrared light illumination source
is positioned substantially near the lens of the camera to cause a
strong return of light reflecting off the retro-reflective
material.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one unit of the
inventory item includes a plurality of units.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of units of a
plurality of different inventory items are positioned between the
camera and the surface, wherein the camera obtains an image of the
units remaining in the position and an exposed portion of the
surface, and wherein the number of units of each inventory item
remaining in the position is determined.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying an
optically identifiable characteristic of the inventory item that is
expected at the position on the surface; detecting the presence of
a misplaced item positioned on the surface that does not match the
optically identifiable characteristic of the expected inventory
item; and excluding the misplaced item from the number of units of
the inventory item present.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of excluding the
misplaced item includes determining the surface area occupied by
the misplaced item, and wherein step of determining the number of
units of the inventory item present includes comparing the known
amount of the entire surface and the sum of the surface area
occupied by the misplaced item and the determined amount of the
exposed portion of the surface.
15. A system for monitoring inventory, comprising: a structure
having a surface including an optically identifiable characteristic
that is distinct from an inventory item; a camera directed toward
the structure to obtain an image that includes at least one unit of
the inventory item positioned between the camera and the surface,
an exposed portion of the surface, or both; and a computer system
including a processor and a computer readable medium including
computer usable program code for using the camera to obtain an
image of the at least one unit of the inventory item, an exposed
portion of the surface or both, determine an amount of the exposed
portion of the surface, and determine the number of units of the
inventory item present by comparing a known amount of the entire
surface and the determined amount of the exposed portion of the
surface.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer readable medium
further includes computer usable program code for identifying the
location of the exposed portion of the shelf, and identifying the
inventory item previously positioned at the location of the exposed
portion of the shelf.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic is unique to the location of the shelf associated
with the inventory items.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic includes at least one discrete element selected from
the group consisting of patterns of contrasting lines, patterns of
contrasting shapes, bar codes, stickers, structural features of the
shelf, or combinations thereof.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic is a uniform characteristic selected from the group
consisting of color, texture, and combinations thereof.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the optically identifiable
characteristic includes at least one uniquely identifiable
label.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the computer readable medium
further includes computer usable program code for establishing the
location of the at least one uniquely identifiable label before the
at least one unit of the inventory item is positioned between the
camera and the surface containing the at least one uniquely
identifiable label.
22. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer readable medium
further includes computer usable program code for associating an
inventory item with the location of the at least one uniquely
identifiable label.
23. The system of claim 15, further comprising: an infrared light
illumination source positioned substantially near the lens of the
camera, wherein the surface comprises a retro-reflective
material.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one unit of the
inventory item includes a plurality of units.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein a plurality of units of a
plurality of different inventory items are positioned between the
camera and the surface, wherein the camera obtains an image of the
units remaining in the position and an exposed portion of the
surface, and wherein the number of units of each inventory item
remaining in the position is determined.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to method and systems for
monitoring inventory.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Inventory is a list of good and materials, or those goods
and materials themselves, held available in stock by a business.
Manual inventories are often performed at the expense of employee
time and wages, the risk of mistakes, and the inability to provide
a real time inventory report. The frequency of a manual inventory
will vary based upon the needs of a particular business and the
rate at which the inventory is sold relative to the typical amount
of inventory on hand at any particular point in time. Inventories
are sometimes counted on a monthly basis to coincide with the end
of the monthly accounting cycle so that detailed management reports
can be prepared.
[0005] Barcodes are a machine-readable representation of
information, most commonly seen as dark ink on a light background
to create high and low reflectance. Originally, barcodes stored
data in the widths and spacings of printed parallel lines, but
today they also come in patterns of dots, concentric circles, and
text codes hidden within images. Barcodes can be read by optical
scanners called barcode readers or scanned from an image by special
software. Bar codes have been widely implemented as a means for
identifying goods as they are purchased, such as by scanning a
Universal Product Code (UPC) at a checkout register. Accordingly,
barcodes increase accuracy and speed at checkout. The barcodes are
typically affixed or printed onto product packaging to be outwardly
facing so that they are easily scanned. A barcode scanner is often
in communication with a computer system that can quickly access
additional product information, such as a brief description of the
item and its price.
[0006] While barcodes are very beneficial for identifying an
individual item that has been carried to a scanner, barcodes have
not provided a complete answer to inventory management.
Theoretically, it should be possible for a retailer, for example,
to scan incoming inventory from the manufacturer, scan outgoing
inventory as it is purchased by customers, and determine the
current inventory as the difference between these two amounts. This
approach may be sufficient in some applications, but it is subject
to errors caused by theft, waste, breakage, and the like. As a
result, periodic inventories of the merchandise that is actually
within the store are still necessary to confirm the accuracy of
inventory report prepared in this manner.
[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for an improved system and
method for monitoring inventory. It would be desirable for the
system and method to provide real time monitoring of inventory. It
would also be desirable for the system and method to monitor the
actual inventory so that theft, waste and breakage are taken into
account.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One embodiment of the present invention includes a method
for monitoring inventory. The method includes providing a surface
having an optically identifiable characteristic that is distinct
from an inventory item and directing a camera toward the surface.
At least one unit of the inventory item is positioned between the
camera and the surface in the normal course of business, wherein
the at least one unit blocks the line of sight between the camera
and the surface. The camera is used to obtain an image of the
plurality of inventory items, an exposed portion of the surface or
both. It is then possible to determine an amount of the exposed
portion of the surface and determine the number of units of the
inventory item present by comparing a known amount of the entire
surface to the determined amount of the exposed portion of the
surface. Preferably, the optically identifiable characteristic is
selected from color, patterns of contrasting lines, patterns of
contrasting shapes, bar codes, structural features of the shelf, or
combinations thereof. Optionally, the optically identifiable
characteristic is unique to the location of the shelf that may be
logically associated with the inventory items in an inventory
record.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises
identifying the location of an exposed portion of the shelf, and
identifying inventory items previously positioned at the location
of the exposed portion of the shelf. The location of the exposed
portion of the shelf may be determined relative to a known position
of the camera when the image was obtained. Alternatively, where the
optically identifiable characteristic includes a plurality of
uniquely identifiable labels, the method may further comprise
establishing the location of each of the plurality of uniquely
identifiable labels before positioning the at least one unit of the
inventory item between the camera and the surface containing the
plurality of uniquely identifiable labels. In a further option, the
method may include associating an inventory item with the location
of each of the plurality of uniquely identifiable labels.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system
for monitoring inventory. The system comprises a structure having a
surface positioned for receiving at least one unit of an inventory
item, wherein the surface has an optically identifiable
characteristic that is distinct from the inventory item. A camera
is directed toward the structure to obtain an image that includes
the at least one unit of the inventory item, an exposed portion of
the surface or both. The system further includes a computer system
having a processor and a computer readable medium including
computer usable program code for using the camera to obtain an
image of the at least one unit of the inventory item, an exposed
portion of the surface or both, determine an amount of the exposed
portion of the surface, and determine the number of units of the
inventory item present by comparing a known amount of the entire
surface to the determined amount of the exposed portion of the
surface. Optionally, the computer readable medium may further
include computer usable program code for executing other steps of
the method of the present invention.
[0011] In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for
determining if at least one of an inventory item or an unknown
object is placed so that it covers an incorrect portion of the
surface. A database contains the visual attributes of the inventory
item assigned to cover each portion of the surface. Once the
surface is identified, the visual attributes of the items expected
to be covering an assigned portion of the surface are compared with
the visual attributes of the items observed covering the assigned
portion of the surface. If the visual attributes do not match, then
the portion of the surface covered by inventory or non-inventory
items not matching the expected visual attributes is considered to
be "uncovered" and the unmatching item is excluded for purposes of
determining the number of units of the expected inventory item
present. Optionally, a message can be generated to the store
personnel informing them that said portion of the surface is
covered by at least one incorrect inventory item or unknown
object.
[0012] Other embodiments, aspects, and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for monitoring inventory in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computer system suitable
for use in the system for monitoring inventory.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of a method for monitoring
inventory in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a logic diagram of a computer program product for
executing a method for monitoring inventory.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention includes systems and methods for
monitoring inventory. The systems and methods may be implemented in
various business environments, including, without limitation,
retail stores, wholesale warehouses, and manufacturing plants. The
systems and methods are particularly well suited for real time or
near real time monitoring of actual inventory, such as the
inventory of items that are present on a shelf structure within the
store, warehouse, or plant facility. A particular advantage of the
present invention is the ability to rapidly determine inventory
levels without needing to positively identify each individual unit
of inventory.
[0018] One embodiment of the invention provides a method for
monitoring inventory. The method includes providing a surface
having an optically identifiable characteristic that is distinct
from an inventory item and directing a camera toward the surface.
The surface may be a horizontal, vertical, tilted or curved, such
as with a floor, wall, table, shelf, or a combination thereof. The
surface is preferably provided with an optically identifiable
characteristic by painting, papering, surfacing, or applying
stickers. It is possible for the optically identifiable
characteristic to be a natural surface feature of a structure, such
as a color, texture or physical configuration. Furthermore, the
optically identifiable characteristic may be a uniform
characteristic, such as color or texture, or a set of discrete
elements, such as stickers, barcodes, holes, or a pattern of lines
or shapes. Optionally, the optically identifiable characteristic is
unique to the location of the shelf that includes the exposed
portion. The important aspect of the optically identifiable
characteristic is that it is uniquely different than any inventory
item and can be quickly distinguished from inventory items.
[0019] In accordance with the method, at least one unit of the
inventory item is positioned between the camera and the surface in
the normal course of business, wherein the units block the line of
sight between the camera and the surface. In this manner, the units
of the inventory item that are present reduce the amount of the
surface that is exposed. Monitoring and observing the amount of the
exposed surface indicates the amount or number of units of the
inventory item that are present. Therefore, removal of a unit of an
inventory item from its position will expose more of the surface
and will be identified as a reduction in inventory of that item
regardless of whether the unit was sold, broken, discarded or
stolen.
[0020] The camera is directed toward the surface and used to obtain
an image of the at least one unit, an exposed portion of the
surface or both. The camera may be fixed or movable, such as
through rotation, linear motion, or other motion directed by a user
or automated controller. In order to easily communicate the image
with a computer component of the system, the camera is preferably a
digital camera. In some installations, the camera may beneficially
include a high image resolution, such as between 1 and 10
megapixels, to improve the distinction between the surface and the
inventory items. Furthermore, the camera may beneficially include a
zoom lens to enable suitable resolution from convenient distances
and positions for camera installation. It should be recognized,
however, that the invention does not require that the camera have
either a particular resolution or a zoom lens.
[0021] Furthermore, the camera may be instructed by an automated
controller, such as a computer, to obtain images at various
locations at various times. In one option, the camera may obtain
images according to a set schedule, such as at the beginning and
end of each day. In a further option, the controller may cause the
camera to obtain images in response to activity detected in a
particular area. The activity may be detected by identifying
changes in an image or using motion sensors. However, the camera or
a plurality of cameras may be used to obtain the images only when
and where activity is detected. In this manner, inventory can be
constantly updated without obtaining images throughout the store.
Optionally, the camera may include signal processing capabilities
that allow it to send only changes in the image relative to a
previously obtained image.
[0022] It is then possible to determine an amount of the exposed
portion of the surface and determine the number of units of the
inventory item by comparing a known amount of the entire surface to
the determined amount of the exposed portion of the surface. The
image may be analyzed with conventional image processing techniques
and software. Any format of the images, such as jpg, tiff, pdf or a
digital negative, may be used within the scope of the invention.
The image may be stored in memory and tracked by the date of the
image and other identifying information, or the image may be
immediately discarded or deleted from memory after having been used
to make an inventory determination.
[0023] The known amount of the entire surface or the amount of
exposed surface may be determined and tracked on the basis of
absolute measurements or relative measurements. An absolute
measurement could be made by fixing the distance and focus of the
camera relative to the surface so that the camera's field of view
had known dimensions. Alternatively, absolute measurements could be
made by providing the surface with markings having a known spacing
so that the markings can be equated to distance. However, the
amount of exposed surface could also be determined as a relative
amount, such as by determining that a designated area had a
percentage of exposed surface area. After determining the
percentage of exposed surface, a computer system with access to
specific information about the inventory item expected to be in the
designated area could calculate the number of units of that item
that have been removed.
[0024] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises
identifying the location of the exposed portion of the shelf, and
identifying an inventory item previously positioned at the location
of the exposed portion of the shelf. The location of the exposed
portion of the shelf may be determined relative to a known position
of the camera when the image was obtained. Alternatively, where the
optically identifiable characteristic includes at least one
uniquely identifiable label, the method may further comprise
establishing the location of each uniquely identifiable label
before positioning any units between the camera and the surface
containing the plurality of uniquely identifiable labels. In a
further option, the method may include associating an inventory
item with the location of each of the plurality of uniquely
identifiable labels, for example by establishing a logical
association between the item and the label in a computer record. A
computer system may maintain a database, listing or other records
that cross-reference each inventory item with a location where the
plurality of units of the inventory item is positioned. Locations
identified by image analysis as no longer being occupied by units
of inventory are used to search the inventory records and identify
the inventory item that has been removed. Most preferable, the
number of removed inventory units is also determined, for example
using a dimensional analysis
[0025] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system
for monitoring inventory. The system comprises a structure having a
surface positioned for receiving at least one unit of an inventory
item, wherein the surface has an optically identifiable
characteristic that is distinct from the inventory item. A camera
is directed toward the structure to obtain an image that includes
the at least one unit of the inventory item, an exposed portion of
the surface, or both. The system further includes a computer system
having a processor and a computer readable medium including
computer usable program code for using the camera to obtain an
image of the at least one unit, an exposed portion of the surface
or both, determine an amount of the exposed portion of the surface,
and determine the number of units of the inventory item present by
comparing a known amount of the entire surface to the determined
amount of the exposed portion of the surface. Optionally, the
computer readable medium may further include computer usable
program code for executing other steps of the method of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for monitoring inventory in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A shelf
structure 10 includes horizontal surfaces 12 and vertical surfaces
14 that receive inventory items 16, 18, 20. The surfaces 12, 14 are
shown having three different optically identifiable
characteristics, but an actual installation would most likely
utilize the same type of characteristic for an entire shelf, an
entire structure or the entire facility. As shown, the large boxes
16 are positioned to rest on the shelf surface 12 in front of the
back surface 14, where both surfaces have discrete shapes 22
positioned at known uniform spacings. The cans 18 are positioned on
the same shelf as the large boxes 16, but in an adjacent position.
For illustration purposes, the surfaces 12, 14 that receive the
cans 18 includes discrete barcodes 24 that may be used to identify
the location of the shelf and/or to identify the inventory item
that is represented by the cans 18. Furthermore, the lower shelf
has surfaces 12, 14 that have a lined pattern that is easily
distinguishable from the packaging of the smaller boxed inventory
items 20 that rest on the shelf.
[0027] A digital camera 30 is positioned (structure not shown) in a
fixed or movable manner in order to obtain images of the structure
10. Depending upon the specific method or inventory information
being sought, the camera may obtain an image of the entire
structure 10 or it may obtain one or more images of smaller
regions, such as a separate image for each of the positions that
are expected to contain a different inventory item 16, 18, 20.
Accordingly, the camera 30 may include a zoom lens 32 that can be
focused to limit the field of view to a designated portion of the
structure 10. The camera 30 is in electronic communication with a
computer system 40 through a cable 34 allows the downloading of
images from the camera to the computer. Preferably, the same or
different cable will enable the computer to pass instructions to
the camera and/or any automated system for redirecting,
repositioning, focusing and taking pictures with the camera.
[0028] In one embodiment, the back surface 14 comprises a
retro-reflective material (e.g. 3M Diamond Grade Reflecting Tape
Series 3990) and an infrared light illumination source is
positioned substantially near the camera lens, optionally forming a
part of the camera, so that the light from the illumination source
is nearly in line with the camera lens, causing a strong return of
light reflecting off the retro-reflective material. This system is
able to obtain images with high contrast outlines of products
against the back surface. The absence of an inventory item from the
shelf results in a bright area, marking the void or exposed surface
left by the absence of one or more units of the item. Bar code
labels may be secured on the shelf edge to be read and decoded by
the camera in order to identify the inventory item that is
partially of fully out of stock, as units of the item are stocked
behind a bar code identifying the item. The bar codes can be
increased in size to increase the readability by the camera. U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/325,952, filed on Jan. 5, 2006 and
published as U.S. 2007/0152057, entitled Mobile Device Tracking is
assigned to the assignee of the present application and is
incorporated by reference herein.
[0029] A computer system 40 that is capable of receiving the
digital images from the camera 30 includes a display device 42
(such as a monitor), a display screen 44, a cabinet 46 (which
encloses components typically found in a computer, such as CPU,
RAM, ROM, video card, hard drive, sound card, serial ports, etc.),
a keyboard 48, and a mouse 43. The mouse 43 may have one or more
buttons, such as buttons 41. Computer 40 is capable of passing
instructions to camera 30 and/or any automated system for
redirecting, repositioning, focusing and taking pictures with the
camera.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the computer system 40 in
one configuration suitable for use in the system for monitoring
inventory. The system 40 may be a general-purpose computing device
in the form of a conventional personal computer. Generally, the
personal computer 40 includes a processing unit 51, a system memory
52, and a system bus 53 that couples various system components
including the system memory 52 to processing unit 51. System bus 53
may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory
bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using
any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory can
include a read-only memory (ROM) 54 and random-access memory (RAM)
55. A basic input/output system (BIOS) 56, containing the basic
routines that help to transfer information between elements within
personal computer 40, such as during start-up, can be stored in ROM
54.
[0031] Computer 40 further includes a hard disk drive interface 62
for reading from and writing to a hard disk 57, a magnetic disk
drive 58 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk
59, and an optical disk drive 60 for reading from or writing to a
removable optical disk 61 such as a CD-ROM or other optical media.
Hard disk drive 57, magnetic disk drive 58, and optical disk drive
60 are connected to system bus 53 by a hard disk drive interface
62, a magnetic disk drive interface 63, and an optical disk drive
interface 64, respectively. Although the exemplary environment
described herein employs hard disk 57, removable magnetic disk 59,
and removable optical disk 61, it should be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media
which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as
magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks,
Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like, may also be used in
the exemplary operating environment. The drives and their
associated computer readable media provide nonvolatile storage of
computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules,
and other data for computer 40. For example, the operating system
65 and application programs, such as an image analysis program 66
and inventory reporting program 80 may be stored in the hard disk
57 or in RAM 55 of the computer 40.
[0032] A user may enter commands and information into personal
computer 40 through input devices, such as a keyboard 48 and a
pointing device, such as a mouse 43. Other input devices (not
shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite
dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often
connected to processing unit 51 through a serial port interface 68
that is coupled to the system bus 53, but input devices such as a
digital camera 30 may be connected by other interfaces, such as a
parallel port, game port, a universal serial bus (USB) 67, IEEE
1394 (Firewire), special adapter, wireless transmission, LAN
attachment, an internet connection or the like. A display device 42
may also be connected to system bus 53 via an interface, such as a
video adapter 69. In addition to the monitor, personal computers
typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such
as speakers and printers.
[0033] The computer 40 may operate in a networked environment using
logical connections to one or more remote computers 74. Remote
computer 74 may be another personal computer, a server, a client, a
router, a network PC, a peer device, a mainframe, a personal
digital assistant, an Internet-connected mobile telephone, an
Internet-connected camera, or other common network node. While a
remote computer 74 typically includes many or all of the elements
described above relative to the computer 40, only a display and
keyboard 75 has been illustrated in the figure. The logical
connections depicted in the figure include a local area network
(LAN) 76 and a wide area network (WAN) 77. Such networking
environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer
networks, intranets, and the Internet.
[0034] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 40
is often connected to the local area network 76 through a network
interface or adapter 78. When used in a WAN networking environment,
the computer 40 typically includes a modem 79 or other means for
establishing high-speed communications over WAN 77, such as the
Internet. A modem 79, which may be internal or external, is
connected to system bus 53 via serial port interface 68. In a
networked environment, program modules depicted relative to
personal computer 40, or portions thereof, may be stored in the
remote memory storage device 75. It will be appreciated that the
network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the computers may be
used. A number of program modules may be stored on hard disk 57,
magnetic disk 59, optical disk 61, ROM 54, or RAM 55, including an
operating system 65 and browser 66.
[0035] The devices shown in FIG. 2 should not imply that the
invention has architectural limitations. For example, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be
implemented in other computer system configurations, including
hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based or
programmable consumer electronics, network personal computers,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may
also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of a method 100 for monitoring
inventory in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
The method begins with certain setup steps 102, including providing
a surface having an optically identifiable characteristic that is
distinct from an inventory item (step 104), directing a camera
toward the surface (step 106), and positioning at least one unit of
an inventory item between the camera and the surface (step 108).
Having completed the setup steps 102, the system is able to perform
inventory monitoring steps 110. The inventory monitoring steps 110
include using the camera to obtaining an image of the inventory
items, an exposed portion of the surface or both (step 112),
determining an amount of the exposed portion of the surface (step
114), and determining the number of units of the inventory item by
comparing a known amount of the entire surface to the determined
amount of the exposed portion of the surface (step 116). Depending
upon the objectives of the inventory monitoring, step 116 could
emphasize a determination of the number of units remaining in
inventory or it could emphasize a determination of the number of
units that have been removed.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a logic diagram of a computer program product for
executing a method 120 for monitoring inventory. This method may be
performed by the system of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, a camera is
instructed to obtain an image of a target shelf region (step 122),
the image file or data is downloaded to a designated computer (step
124), and pattern recognition analysis is initiated (step 126). The
pattern recognition analysis results in a determination whether the
image file includes a region with an expected pattern (step 128).
This may involve searching the image for one or more expected
patterns or colors (such as a blue background) or searching a
database for patterns (such as a barcode) found within the image.
If the image does not include an expected pattern, then the method
identifies an inventory item associated with the region (step 130)
and updates the inventory data to reflect full stock of the
identified inventory item (step 132). Alternatively, if the image
includes an expected pattern then this indicates that some of the
inventory item has been removed. Accordingly, the method determines
the size of the region having the expected pattern (step 134) and
identifies an inventory item associated with the region (step 136).
An inventory item may identified by using a lookup function through
an existing database that lists the locations of each inventory
item in the facility. The camera location, orientation, zoom
status, and/or unique markings on the shelf surface may be used to
determine the shelf location. Then, the database is searched to
identify the inventory item expected at the particular shelf
location. Having identified the inventory item, the same or
different database may be accessed to obtain the dimensions,
stocking density and optically identifiable characteristics of the
inventory item. Misplaced items may be detected by scanning the
image for items that do not match optically identifiable
characteristics of the surface or the expected inventory item. If a
misplaced item is detected (step 137A), then the surface area
occupied by the misplaced item is determined (step 137B). The
number of units missing may then be determined (step 138), such as
by obtaining the sum of the surface area that is exposed and the
surface area occupied by the misplaced item, subtracting this sum
from the entire surface are associated with the inventory item,
then dividing the difference by the relevant dimensions of the
expected inventory item. Finally, the method updates an inventory
data file to reflect missing units of the inventory item (step
140).
[0038] It should be recognized that the method may be utilized for
purposes other than generating a traditional inventory report. For
example, the method of monitoring inventory may detect abnormal or
suspicious changes in inventory that suggest theft. Accordingly,
when large quantities of a single inventory item are taken at once,
such as ten packages of razor blades or cold medicine, then the
system or method may issue an alert for investigation or
intervention.
[0039] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having," as used
in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as
indicating an open group that may include other elements not
specified. The terms "a," "an," and the singular forms of words
shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such
that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The
term "one" or "single" may be used to indicate that one and only
one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer
values, such as "two," may be used when a specific number of things
is intended. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer,"
"optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an
item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not
required) feature of the invention.
[0040] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
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